Apparatus for compressing air



(No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet 1.

- E. O. NIGHOLS.. APPARATUS FOR GOMPRESSING AIR.

No. 589,190. Patented Aug. 31,1897.

M k E 3 Sheets-Sheet 2..

(No Model.)

. E. O. NICHOLS.

APPARATUS FOR OOMPRESSING AIR.

No. 589,190.. Patented Aug. 81,1897.

(No Model.) 3 sheets Sheet 3.

E. 0. NICHOLS. V I APPARATUS FOR GOMPRBSSING AIR.

No. 589,190. Patented Aug. 31,1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDYVIN O. NICHOLS, OF TOPEKA, KANSAS.

APPARATUS FOR COM PRESSI'NG AIR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 589,190, dated August31, 1897. Application filed August 14,1896- S erial No. 602,810. (Nomodel.)

To aZZ whom it may cmtcern:

Be it known that l, EDWIN G. NICHOLS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Topeka, in the county of Shawnee and State of Kansas, havein vented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus forCompressing Air; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description of the sion-chambers, and, fifth, to eifectan unin- In the drawings, Figure l is a plan view of my improvedair-compressing apparatus, showing the air,- compressors andstoragetank, engine, and dynamo for electric-light purposes upon thefloats, with the truss-rods removed. Fig. 2 is a side view of theapparatus. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken upon line a: mof Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on line y y, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is adetail side view, enlarged, of the hollow gearwheel and the gearconnected therewith and the driving-shaft. Fig. 6 is a transversesectional view of the hollow air-conducting. wheel, showing therevoluble slotted axis, the longitudinally-slotted hollow crank-pin, anda portion of the hollow connecting-arm connected with the pin. Fig. '7is a detail view of the hollow slotted shaft of the hollow driv-' inggear-wheel, showing the sleeve. and the compressed-air-conducting pipeconnected with the sleeve. Fig. 8 is a Sidefview of one of the invertedair-compressing cups, showing a broken portion of one of thecompressedair-conducting pipes, the branch to whichthe cup is attached,and the brace-rods, a portion of the top of the cup being broken away toshow the relief-valves. Fig. 9 isa front ;view of the invertedair-compressing cup, showing the com pressed-air conducting pipes insection, a portion of the top of the cup and branch pipe being brokenaway to show the relief and back-pressure valves. Fig. 10 is .an endview of one of the cups, looking up. Fig. 11 is a detail side view of aportion of the compressed-ai'rconducting pipes, showing the truss-rods.Fig. 12 is a plan view in detail of a portion of the compressed-airpipes carrying theinverted cups, showing the transverse truss-rods;

Similar letters of referenceindicate correspondingparts in all. thefigures. I

Referring to the drawings, A represents a floating carriage or bargewhich is suitably anchored in a stream of water, the current of which isutilized in the propulsion of the aircompressing devices. Said carriageconsists of a rectangular-shaped frame, the sides of which are composedof the parallel beams B B, arranged a considerable distance apart. Theforward ends of the beams B B are connected together by the transversebeam B which extends over the front ends of beams B B, and the rear.ends by the transverse beam B which also extends over the ends of beamsB B. To vthe beam B, at a point a short distance toward the beam B froman equidistant point between the said beam B and the beam B is connectedone end of a beam B the other end of which beam is extended to the beamB and connected rigidly with said beam at the same described dis ,tancefrom beam B Beneath beam B are separate compressed air receivers O 0' C0 Said receivers con- .sist of longitudinal hollow cylinders arrangedendwise is position in the water, the buoyancy of said receivers beingsufficient tov sustain with ease the load of the air-compressors and therequisite mechanism. To the rear end of the reservoir 0 is connected oneend of a short tube a, the other end of which tube is connected with theforward end of the receiver C. To the adjacent ends of the other receivers C C and C C are connected tubes c, which are precisely the sameas the tube 0 and permit the free expansion of the air and its passageto the receiver C The receiver 0 is connected at its forward end withthe beam 13 by means of the strap or loop 0 which strap is connected atone end by the under side portion of the beam B near its other edge, andthence extended beneath said receiver, and the other end connected withsaid beam at a point between the outer and inner edges. The other end ofthe receiver is connected with the beam 13 in the same manner asdescribed of the forward end, and each receiver in the series is alsoconnected in like manner. The receiver 0, which supports the front endof the beam B,

is nearly twice the length of the receiver G which receivcs'thc Supplyof compressed air from the other receivers. valve C.

Upon the other side of the frame and beneath beam B are separatecompressed-air receivers D, which are constructed and arranged inposition in precisely the same manner as the respective receivers (l C(2 0. To the forward end of beam B, in line with the inner edge of thesaid beam, is attached the upper end portion of a wall D, which extendsthe entire length of and to the rearend of said beam and a considerabledistance in a downward direction. Upon the other side of the carriageand beneath the beam B is a wall D between which walls is formed asluice (I. (See Fig. 4:.)

Upon the inner side of the walls D at the forward end of the carriage,are vertical stays d (1 the stay d being attached to the extreme outerend of the said wall and the stay d a short distance therefrom in thedirection of the other end of the carriage. The lower ends of the stays(Z extend in a downward direction an equal distance to that described ofthe walls D D. The stays d extend at their lower ends a short distancebelow the line of the lower ends of the respective staysd To the lowerend of the stay-bar d, on the side D is connected one end of a bar (F,the other end of which bar is connected with the lower end of the bar don the side D. To the inner side and lower end portion of the wall Disconnected the floor or bottom (l of the sluice, which extends to thelower end of the wall D and from the rear end of the respective walls tothe stays d in a horizontal line of direction. From said stays d to thetransverse bar (Z a portion of the bottom is inclined downwardly at anangle to the horizontal portion (1 thus retarding the [low of the wateralong the bottom (1 of the sluice and acceleratingthe speed of the uppercurrents of water.

The bot-tom (I may be dispensed with under conditions favorable to rapidmovement of the water. At the forward end of the carriageA and upon theend of beam B ata point a short distance from the beam [3, is ajourualbearing e, which is supported by a rear jog I11 receiver C is aorextension I) of said beam, of sufficient width to give a clearance oneach side for the hollow power-transmitting wheels. Upon said jog b areupwardly-extended braces or legs 6' 6 secured to the jog b on the side0pposite beam B, and to which the bearings are attached.

In the direction of the beam B on the jog Z? the proper distance fromthe journal-bearing 6 is a journal-bearing 6 which is supported the sameheight as the journal 6. In the box 6 is journaled one end of a hollowshaft E, the other end of which shaft is journaled in the box 0 Bothends of shaft E are closed, and upon said shaft near the journal-box eis mounted a hollow gear-wheel F, which is constructed as follows:

Two circular plates ff are shrunk on the shaft E at a considerabledistance'from each other. At the periphery of the platefa'pow tion isbent at right angles and extended in the direction of the plate f ashort distance and connected rigidly with the side of an annular castingor ringf Upon the outer surface of ring f and extending around saidringare gear-pitched teeth f 'lhe-peripheral portion of the plate f isalso bent at right angles and extended in the direction of the ring fand to within a slight distance of'said ring, and thence bent at rightangles and extended in an upward direction nearly to the teeth f formingan annular flange f. Between the flange f and the side portion of ring fis an annular paclzingf Through the annular flange f and the ring f isinserted a threaded bolt f, upon which is a nut f Other screw-threadedbolts are inserted through the flange f and the ringf at suitabledistances from each other and around the wheels, so asto prevent theescape of the compressed air.

The inner end portion of the shaft E is ex- I tended within an annulardepression f on the inner side of the plate f ina direct line with thesaid shaft. The shaft E is provided with a flanged collar 6 which isfitted against the outer side portion of the plate f, suitable packingbeing interposed between the collar and plate.

In shaft E, between the respective plates ff, are the longitudinal slotsor openings f a number being made at regular distances in thecircumference of the shaft. Through the respective platesff at a point ashort distance from the periphery of wheel F, is inserted a hollowwrist-pin G. Said pin consists of a tube of nearly the same diameter asshaft E, one end extending a short distance beyond the outside portionof the plate fand' externally screw-threaded, upon which end is fittedan internallythreaded cap g. The other end of the tube extends aconsiderable distance beyond the outside portion of the platef and atits extreme outer end is externallyscrew-threaded and provided with aninternal screw-threaded cap g. Said cap g is also provided with a screwg extending in the direction of tube G and against the surface of saidtube, so as to prevent accidental turning of the cap g. On tube G andthe end having the cap 9 and bearing against the plate f of the wheel isa flanged collar 9 which is made integral with the tube G, and betweenthe flanged portion of the collar and plate f' is a packing 9 so thatwhen the cap V9 is made tight the tube G is rigid with the plates f f,and the packing prevents any leakage of compressed airf In the wrist-pinG, between the respective plates f f, are longitudinal openings orperforations g, a suitable number being made at equal. distances apart'in the surface of the pin. In the end portion of the pin having the capg and between said cap and the plate f arelongitudinal openings 9 shortin length, for the purpose hereinafter specified.

Upon the other side of shaft E, outside of the-journal-box a at one sideof jog b, in sluice d, is a hollow power-wheel E, which is constructedin precisely the same manner and is of the same dimensions as the wheelF, the extension of the wrist-pin being from an opposite side to. thatin wheel 1 In the hollow shaft E, bet-ween the wheels F F, arelongitudinal slots 6 for the purpose hereinafter described.

Upon the end beam B of the Water-carriage A, near beam B and in linewith the Wheel F, is mounted on a jog b, in elevated journalboxes of thesame height as the journal-boxes 6 e a hollow power-transmitting wheel Fwhich is constructed and mounted in position upon its shaft E inprecisely the same manner as the wheel F, said shaft E being arranged ina parallel position with and corresponding in length to the shaft E. Atthe other end of shaft E is mounted a hollow power-transmitting wheel Fwhich is precisely the same as the wheel F. V

' Upon the cross-beam B of the water-carriage, the same describeddistance from the beam B asthe shaft E and parallel with said shaft, ismounted in the journal-boxes h h a solid shaft h said shaft being of thesame length as the' shaft E and arranged in position the same heightabove the frame of the carriage. Upon one end of shaft 72 in line withthe respective wheels F F is mounted an ordinary spoked wheel H, whichis nearly of the same circumference as that of wheel Upon the other endof shaft 7L2 is mounted a spoked wheel H, which is the same incircumference as wheel H.

To the wrist-pin G on the hollow wheel F is attached loosely and in thefollowing manner one end i of a horizontal connecting pipe or tube I.Said end '0' is flattened upon both sides and extended in width aconsiderable extent and upon its extreme outerend closed or capped at Inthe sides of the flattened end portion of pipe I is an opening '6 whichis nearly of the same circumference as the slotted portion 9 of thewrist-pin G. The cap 9 being first removed from the wristpin theflattened end of the pipe I is iitted to the wristpin andthe capreplaced, the packing in the cap 9 preventing anyleakage of compressedair from the tube. The other end '6 of pipe I is closed, the inner sideof said end being brought together and welded. On the outer side portionof the wheel H is a solid wristpin 7L3. In the flattened end portion Fof the pipe I is a circular opening which receives loosely the wrist-pinh of wheel H. In connecting the pipe I with the wrist-pin G on wheel Fand with the wrist-pin 77, on wheel I-I both wrist-pins are placed atthe highest point of elevation in the rotation of each wheel, the pipeIbeing of the precise length to connect with each pin, the end i beingretained upon the wrist-pin 7L in the ordinary manner.

To the wrist-pin on the hollow wheel F is connected one end of ahorizontal pipe I, which end is constructed precisely the same as theendiof the pipe I and is connected with the wrist-pin upon said wheel inlike manner, the position of said pin when the pipeis attached beingalso elevated at its highest point. The other end of pipel is flat andthe parts welded together in the manner described of the end 2' of thepipe I and also provided with a circular opening for the wrist pin h onthevwheel II and is fitted to said wrist-pin and close in position tothe end i of the pipe I.

To the wrist-pin on the hollow wheel F is connected one end of ahorizontal pipe 1 which is constructed in precisely the same manner asdescribed of pipe I, the other end of said pipe I being connected withthe wristpin on the spoked wheel H. pin on the hollowvwheel F isconnected one end of a horizontal pipe I which is connected preciselythe same as the pipe I and the other end connected with the spoked wheelH on the wrist-pin to which the pipe 1 is connected and in like manner.I

To the pipe I, a short distance in rear of the wheel F, is connected bya suitable T connect-ion one end of'a cup-supporting pipe 1 the otherend of which pipe extends at right angles to pipe I and is connectedwith the pipe I A short distance beneath pipe I and connected therewithas hereinafter described is an inverted air-compressing cup K. Said cupis rectangular in shape and consists of the respective front and backplates or sides 7c 7t and ends 713 716 and top If. The end 10 isextended beyond the front side 70 a considerable distance and thencebent at an angle to the said end k in the direction of the front plateit and connected rigidly with said plate, forming a triangularprojection or wing If. The other end it is also extended in Ihe samemanner as the end 70 and thence in the direction of plate It, and atriangular wing k formed, which acts to retard the water. The topportions of these wings are open, so as to not compress air.

The top 70 is nearly horizontal and with the sides la la and wings k kextends outwardly To the wrist in opposite directions beyond a verticalline drawn through the respective pipes I 1*.

In the top and near one end 70 is a circular outward depression or domeit to which is connected a branch pipe 70 which is connected at itsupper end by a T-coupling to the under side portion of the pipe I. Nearthe other end k of the inverted cup K is a dome k to which is attached abranch pipe 7& which is attached at its upper end to the under sideportion of the pipe 1 To the under side portion of the cross-tube I isconnected a branch pipe 7e which extends clownwardly and is connectedwith the top 70 at a point equidistant from the domes 70 70 In the upperpart of the dome at the entrance to tube k is a check-valve 7;. In theupper part of the dome 7t and at the entrance to pipe 7; is acheek-valve 76 In the pipe 70 is a check-valve k". In the top 79 on oneside of tube 78 is an opening 7a", which is closed by a valve 7e hingedto the inner side portion of the top L. Upon the other side of the pipeR is a similar valvular opening to k". On the side 78, near the loweredge portion, is riveted a fiat bar Z, which extends to the forward edgeof the wing 79 and is then bent at right angles and extended edgewise inan upward direction along the edge of the wing and secured firmly to acollar L on the tube I. Upon the side 70 is a bar attached to the cupand pipe I, as described of bar 1.

On the respective pipes I I, a short distance from the collar Ii, towardthe wheels F F, are collars M M. To the collar M is attached one end ofa bar m, the other end of which extends to the lower edge of the frontside 7; of cup K at a point equidistant from wings k k and is turnededgewise in position. To the collar M is attached one end of a bar at,the other end of which bar extends downwardly and is attached to frontplate 7s near the lower edge and at the point described of bar m. To theback plate 71;, near the lower edge and at a point equidistant from theends of said cup K, are attached brace-rods, which are precisely thesame as the rods m m and are connected with the respective pipes I I inlike manner. It will thus be seen that the inverted cup K is heldrigidly in position and securely from forward or lateral movement on therespective tubes.

A short distance in rear of the inverted cup K is an inverted cup K, andin rear of the cup K are the respective cups K K in series, which aresupported by the longitudinal pipes I I and transverse tubes I l l andconstructed and arranged in position in the pipes I I in precisely thesame manner as described of the inverted cup K, the said cups beingarranged at equal distances apart one from another.

Upon the longitudinal pipes I I and the transverse tubes 1 1 1 are therespective inverted cups K 70 70 which are constructed and arranged inposition in precisely the same manner as the respective cups K K 1' Kand at the same distance apart, all of said inverted cups extendingwithin the sluice d their greatest depth in each full rotation of thepower-transmitting wheels.

Adjacent to the series of air-compressing cups K, K, K K K K and K andparallel therewith in sluice d are inverted aircomprcssing cups K K K KK K, which are constructed precisely the same as the cup K and arrangedin position upon horizontal pipes I l I I in like manner, saidhorizontal pipes being connected with powertransmitting hollow wheels FF F F arranged in position on the respective beams 13 B in the samemanner as described of the hollow wheels F F F F and with theintermediate spoked wheels I1 I1 as described of wheels II II.

For the purpose of sustaining the accumulated weight of the series ofinverted aircompressing cups and also give rigidity to the respectivetubes I I I l a truss-frame N is connected with the longitudinal tube Iin the following manner: At a suitable height above the tube I isarranged parallel with said tube a rod or bar a. On the tube I, at apoint close in position to the tube 70, connected with the cup K, and onthe side of said tube toward the wheel F, is a collar 72. Upon the otherside of said tube is a collar n To the collar n is connected one end ofa rod a", the other end of which rod extends upwardly and forwardly atan angle to the tube I and is connected with a fixed collar n on the rodN. To the collar n is connected one end of a rod a the other end ofwhich is connected rigidly with the end portion of the pipe I near thepoint of connection with the wheel F. To the collar n is connected oneend of a red at, the other end of which collar is extended in an upwarddirection and rearwardly at an angle to the pipe I and connected with afixed collar on the rod n, to which collar is connected a rod extendingin a downward direction and connected with a collar in the pipe I nearthe branch pipe to the cup K.

A series of braces are connected in like manner with the respective pipeI and rod n in precisely the same manner as described of the braces n aand a, said rod 17, being shorter in length than the pipe I and trussedits entire length with the pipe I. The pipe I is also provided with atrussed support N, which is precisely the same in construction as thetrussed support N, and the respective pipes I l are each provided withtrussed supports which are the same in construction as the trussedsupport N. In the respective series of tubes each pipe is provided witha trussed support, as described of the trussed supports N N. V

Beneath the inverted compression-cups an attached at one end to thelower edge portion of the plate 70 of the cup K is a longitudinal bar 0,which bar extends beneath each one of the respective cups K K K K K Kand serves to bind one cup with another in the series of air-compressingcups. Other bars 0, of the same description as bar 0, are employed ineach series of cups.

Adjacent to the heretofore-described series of inverted air-compressingcups and supported in position and in communication with the said cupsare parallel pipes I I I 1 supporting one series of cups, and theparallel pipes I I I 1 supporting another series of inverted cups, thusmaking four separate series of cups connected as described of thepreceding series, one of each series entering the water in sluice d ateach quarter of the circle of rotation of the power-transmitting wheels,geared as hereinafter described.

Upon the beam B and extending its entire length and also transversely tobeams B B is a line-shaft P, which is arranged in rear of the outer edgeof the said beam B and supportedin journal-boxes pp on the'transversebeam B at each end, which j ournal-boxes are raised the described heightof the journalboxes 6 6 supporting the shaft E and wheels F F. Saidshaft is also supported at suitable points on beam B between thejournalboxes 19 p.

Upon the shaft P opposite the hollow wheel F is a small'gear B. On thesame shaft and opposite the hollow wheel F is a small gear R. Oppositethe wheels F F, transmitting power from the adjacent series of cups, aresmall gear R R respectively, and opposite each remaining hollow wheel ineach series of inverted cups are gear corresponding to the gear R.Between the small gear R and the hollow gear-wheel F and journaled inelevated journal-boxes s s is a gear S, which is twice the circumferenceof gearR and meshes with said'gear and the gear on the hollow wheel F.Between the gear R and the wheel F is a gear S, which meshes with thesaid gear and between each small gear on the samevshaft opposite eachone of thehollow wheels is a gear of the same circumference and meshingwith the small and hollow gear, as described, of the gear S and wheel F.

For the purpose of enabling the separate inverted cups in series toenter and be drawn from the water at different times the wheel F isgeared with the gear S and the small wheel on the line-shaft with thecrank-wrist on the wheel F at its lowest point of depression. Theadjacent hollow and spoked wheels --F F F F and 11 H respectively, aregeared with the small wheel on the line-shaft P and the intermediategear in such a manner that the inverted cups operated by said wheels aredrawn about half of their length from the water or raised in position soas to bring the horizontal pipes I 1 and I I in line with the axis ofthe spoked wheels H H The wheels carrying the succeeding series of in-Verted cups are so placed in position that each crank-wrist is at thehighest point of elevation or one-half way round the circle,

and the wheels in the next series of inverted cups so placed as to carrythe wrist-pin three quarters way round in the direct-ion of the circle.

On the shaft E, carrying the respective hol- In the side of sleeve t isan opening 2?.

To sleeve t, around the opening 2%, is a neckt To theupper side portionof the compressedair receiver 0 beneath beam B is connected one end of apipe T, which pipe extends upward through the forward end of beam Bthence in a transverse direction to the apparatus, over the upper partof sluice d, and the other end connected with the upper portion of thereceiver D', passing downwardly through the other end of the beam B Onthe shaft supporting the wheels F F, which is also slotted, as describedof the shaft E, is a sleeve connection, and also uponeach shaft in theseries of shafts corresponding to shaft E, which is the same as sleeve25. To the sleeve on shaft E and neck 15 is connected a branch pipe 15which pipe is connected with the transverse pipe T, and from the otherconnections are connected branch pipes, all of which connect with thepipe T.

On the beam B and near the outer edge portion of said beam is aline-shaft P, which is parallel with and mounted in journal-boxes in thesame manner as shaft P on beam B Upon the line-shaft P are small gear ofthe same circumference as the gear R on shaft P, and intermediate gearare meshed with the small gear and the hollow wheels, as described, gearS.

To the upper rear end portion of the receiver O is connected one end ofa compressed-air-conducting pipe T, the said end passing upward throughthe rear end of the beam B and transversely to the rear end of thereceiver D at the rear end of beam B. With said pipe T is connected allof the tubes connected with the respective shafts, as described of shaftE.

Upon the rear end portion of the beam B is a duplex air-compressor V,the pistons of which are actuated by eccentrics v v n on the end portionof the rear line-shaft P. Upon the rear end of the beam B is a duplexair-compressor V, which is also actuated b eccentrics on the line-shaftP.

A short distance above the water-line and from the side of the receiverC is an upwardly-extended bent pipe 20, which is directly connected withthe induction-opening of one of the duplex air-compressors V.

Near the pipe 20 and extending upwardly from the side of receiver O is apipe w,which is connected with the eductiou-opening of the duplexair-compressor.

ICC

The air-compressor V is provided with pipes connected with the inductionand ed ac tion openings and also with the receiver D at the rear end ofthe apparatus in the same manner as the compressor V.

Upon the beam B is a storage-tan k X. lVit-h said tank is connected theeductionpipes extending from the air-compressor V. Upon the beam B is astorage-tank X, with which is connected the eduction-pipes from theair-compressor V.

Y is an air-engine on the beam 13, and y is a pipe connected with thestorage-tank X and the ail-engine.

Z is a dynamo on the surface of beam B, and .2 is the belt connectionfrom the engine to the dynamo.

it represents the electric-light pole on the end of the carriage, and ZZ" the wires, con nected with the dynamo and the lamps 011 the pole :13.

Z is an engine on the beam B, the engine being connected with theline-shaft P, so as to operate the cups when the currents of water aresluggish. t

In operation the apparatus is anchored in a stream, with the forward endof the carriage abreast of the current, the water ontering the sluice d,and being retarded in its fiow upon the inclined entrance and the bottomto the sluice a rapid movement of the current is effected, whichstriking the forward portion or plate 7.1 of the series of invertedair-coin pressing cups, which are in a position to receive theenergizing force of the currents and are moved ashort distancerearwardly, the lower ends describing the are of a circle, and thispower of the water being directly between the wings of the respectivecups is fully utilized, the separate series of cups within the sluice atthe first application of the motive power of the water causing arotation of the power-transm itting wheels and the entry of the separateseries of cups in the water in succession. In the movement of theair-compressing cups in one series and connected, for instance, with therespective conductors of compressed air I I l l the air enters the cupsduring withdrawal from the water, and upon describing the forwardmovement and during the time the crankwrist upon the wheels F I F F isdescribing one-quarter of the circle of rotation the open ends of theinverted cups enter the water. In this movement the confined air in thecup K closes the valves 75 and the cup enters the sluice (1 its fulllength and compresses the air within the cup. The water c011- sequentlymeets the inner surface of the cup and the upward pulsations of thewater combined with the downward movement of the cups forces the volumeof compressed air in its entirety from the cups into the air-c011-ducting tubes I 1 the valves 7.1 k 7e" being lifted by the compressedair. As soon as the volume of air is expelled from the cup the cupdescribes a rearward and upward movement, the valves 7c 7.1" 7c"immediately close,

checking the return of the compressed air, and the valves 7; open andrelieve the tendency to create a vacuum in withdrawal from the water.The result of the compression is the same in each cup, the compressedair passing with renewed impetus through the tubes I I I 1 thencethrough the slotted wrist-pin into the hollow wheels F F F F in which aninitial expansion takes place, thence through the slots f in the shaft Eand through the tube 25 into the transverse pipes T 'l", and thence intoeach receiver C D on opposite sides and forward ends of the apparatus,and thence through the respective receivers O G into the receiver C uponone side of the apparatus and into the similar receivers at the rear endand upon the other side, the compressed air beingthen supplied throughthe pipes to, w, and c in a large quantity, the z'tir-compressors V Vtaking the compressed air under initial compression, and after fullcompression the air passes into the storage-tanks X X, and is thensupplied to the air-engines Y, which utilize the highlycompressedair-conveying motor-power to the dynamo Z for the generation ofelectricity for lighting purposes or any other purpose to which aneconomical method of generating compressed air can be applied.

In the regular sequence in which it is observed the separate series ofcompressed-air cups enters the water in sluice cl no intermission takesplace in the low of compressed air through the pipes I I 1 l and as thespeed of the wheels F F F F increases a continuous energizing volume ofcompressed air is obtained. In passing through the openings to the pipesU and w from receiver 0 the aircompressors draw upon the initial compressed air in the receivers O G and are compressed. The air-wheelpasses to the tank X through the induction-pipes, the compressed airbeing utilized in the direction preferred.

The capacity of the hollow wheels to which the air-conducting tubes areattached is such as to relieve the overcharged tubes, and the compressedair is afforded a primary receiver while the larger quantity from allthe sources is passing through the compressed-air pipes T '1" into thereceivers O and D.

The capacity of the apparatus may be increased in width and length and aseparate sluice from sluice d employed in which separate series ofair-compressing cups may be employed, constructed, and arranged asheretofore described and connected with the water-carriage A, therebyaffording opportunity for suspension in operation of one series ofair-compressing cups when desired for renewal or repair of the operatingparts.

Having fully described my invention, what I new claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a compressed-air apparatus, a cond uctor for compressed aircomprising a hollow wheel, having a hollow perforate crank-wrist, ahollow shaft having openings Within the wheel, and a compressed-airconductor connected with said crank-wrist, as and for the purposedescribed.

2. In a compressed-air apparatus a receiver for compressed air and asluice, a hollow compressed-air-conveying Wheel at each end of saidsluice having its axis provided with openings extending within saidwheel, and a perforate crank-wrist, horizontal air-conducting pipeshaving closed ends journaled upon said crank-wrists and connecting thewheels at opposite ends of said sluice, a conductor of com pressed airconnected-with the axis of said wheels and said receiver, and awater-energized air-compressor within said sluice having aneduction-pipe connected with said horizontal air-conducting pipes onsaid wheels,

and suitable check-valves, substantially as shown and described.

3. In a compressed-air apparatus the combination of areceiver forcompressed air and a sluice, hollow compressed-air-conveying wheels ateach end of said sluice, each wheel having its axis provided withopenings extending within said wheel, and a perforate crank wrist-pin,horizontal air-conducting pipes having closed ends journaled upon saidcrank wrist-pin and connecting the wheels at opposite ends of thesluice, a conductor of compressed air connected with the axis of each ofsaid wheels and said receivers, and waterenergized inverted cups in saidsluice having branch pipes connected with the horizontal airconductingpipes on said wheels and check-valves for checking the backflow ofcompressed air, and a relief-valve for the admission of the externalair, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a compressed-air apparatus the combination of a receiver for thecompressed air, and a sluice, and a hollow compressed-airconveying wheelat each end of said sluice having a hollow perforated shaft closed atboth ends, and openings in said shaft within said hollow wheel, and ahollow perforate crank wrist-pin having a removable cap, horizontalair-conducting pipes having closed ends, journaled at said ends uponsaid crankpins, and connecting the wheels at each end of saidsluice,Water-energized air-compressors within said sluice having a pipeconnected with said horizontal air-conducting pipes, and a loose sleeveon said shaft having a packed collar at each end, and a conductor ofcompressed air connected with said sleeve and said receiver,substantially as and for the purofsaid cup having inwardly-inclinedsides,

substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. In a compressed-air apparatus the combination of receivers for thecompressed air, and a frame supported by said receivers, a sluice, atransverse line-sh aft journaled upon the forward end portion of saidframe, a hollow compressed-air-conveying wheel at each end of saidsluice each having a crank-pin, and a hollow perforate shaft each shaftbeing journaled on the sides of the sluice Within the lines of thetransverse line-shaft and parallel therewith, horizontal air-conductingpipes journaled at each end upon the crank pins of the said wheels atrespective opposite ends of the sluice, a series of invertedaircompressing cups within said sluice having valvular branch pipesconnected with the horizontal air-conducting pipes, a conductor ofcompressed air connected with the latter pipes and said receiver andmeshing gear on said line-shaft and each separate shaft having thepower-wheels, as and for the purpose described.

9. In a compressed-air apparatus the combination of receivers forcompressed air and a sluice between said receivers, and a compressed-airpipe connected with the separate receivers, hollow wheels at each end ofsaid sluice, each hollow wheel having a perforate tubular crankwrist-pin and a hollow revoluble shaft closed at both ends and having anopening for the compressed air within the hollow wheel and alsoexternally thereto, a loose sleeve upon said shaft, and a conductor ofcompressed air connected with said sleeve and also with the pipeconnected with the receivers, and horizontal compressed-air-conductingpipes closed at both ends and journaled upon the cranked wrist-pins,upon wheels at respective opposite ends of the sluice, invertedair-compressing cups in said sluice, and branch pipes connected with thehorizontal pipes and also with the top portion of said cups, and a valvefor checking the backflow of compressed air, and a separate valve foradmitting the external air, substantially as described. I EDWIN O.NICHOLS. IVitnesses:

THEO. F. ()RNER, PAUL HUDSON.

